We gained 7 House cosponsors in one week! They are: Coffman (R-CO-6), Hanabusa (D-HI-1), Sarbanes (D-MD-3), Rouzer (R-NC-7), Vela (D-TX-34), Curtis (R-UT-3), and Jenkins (R-WV-3). This brings our total to 356 House, 58 Senate, and 414 all together!
HHS Secretary Azar Meeting:
On Wednesday, June 27th, Rep Reichert met in person with HHS Sec Azar! While he has questioned each Secretary in writing since becoming our champion, this is the first time he’s ever had a private, face to face meeting with an HHS Secretary. Azar said he would take a serious look at the issue, which is wonderful, but does not mean we should let up one bit on our legislative push. It is unlikely that the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) will do an about face after all these years, however, Reichert is as determined as we are to get this done, so is leaving no stone unturned (Background on why CMS does not currently cover compression supplies can be found on our our website.)
Call with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO):
On Friday, June 29th, we had a call with the CBO. This was the first in what will likely be a series of communications as they begin to work on a cost estimate for the LTA. While there is strong evidence to support that a net savings will result through reduced complications, comorbidities, and disabilities, there is still an upfront cost to providing coverage for compression supplies. Estimating that expense is a process all bills with any associated cost must go through, and it’s important progress that the CBO has begun this process.
Please be persistent and continue to call your members of Congress who are not yet supporting the LTA, using the info below. Every call counts! Congress is in recess this week but staff is still in the office working. Thank you for your advocacy, and have a safe and happy July 4th holiday!
Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
